NTSC-1112 Unit - 4 Oceans and Fisheries

Oceans and Fisheries Overview

• This unit explores the role of oceans and fisheries in environmental dynamics and economics.

Page 1: Introduction

• Title: Oceans and Fisheries Unit - 4

Page 2: Article Overview

• Source: Physics Today, Article on Ocean Currents and Climate Change (17 Nov 2016)

• Key Point: Ocean topography is affected by waves, tides, and currents, with satellite monitoring reflecting changes in sea-surface height.

Page 3: Learning Objectives

• Understand ocean contributions to the Earth's water budget.

• Analyze climate change impacts on oceans bordering Canada.

• Explain ocean current formations, including wind and thermohaline circulation.

• Evaluate varying stakeholder perspectives on environmental issues.

• Discuss the significance and challenges of Northern Shipping Routes.

Page 4: Lecture Title

• Lecture 1 overview of Oceans and Fisheries.

Page 5: Important Ocean Facts

• Oceans cover approximately 71% of Earth’s surface.

• Oceans regulate most of the world’s weather and climate.

• They produce roughly 50% of the oxygen consumed by humans.

Page 6: Environmental Concerns

• Key Issues:

  • Nutrient pollution

  • Rising temperatures

  • Ocean acidification

  • Aquaculture challenges

  • Overfishing

  • General pollution/waste disposal

Page 7: Canada’s Marine Environments

• Canada is bordered by the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic Oceans.

• Canada’s exclusive economic zone: over 5 million km², ranking 7th globally.

• Indigenous and coastal communities have depended on these waters for food and recreation, impacting both recreational and commercial fisheries.

Page 8: Ocean State Reports

• Government report by Oceans and Fisheries department and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

• Reports cover the status of Canada’s three bordering oceans, scheduled every four years, incorporating new and existing data.

Page 9: Current Interactions

• Interconnectivity of currents affecting Canadian waters:

  • Subarctic Current, Alaska Gyre, North Pacific Current, etc.

  • Coastal upwelling and downwelling zones characterized.

Page 10: Wind Blown Currents

• Surface currents are wind-generated.

• In the Northern Hemisphere, Coriolis effect causes currents to deflect right, creating gyres. In the Southern Hemisphere, currents deflect left.

• Effects include heat transport from the equator.

Page 11: Thermohaline Currents

• Concept: Described as the Global Conveyor Belt.

• Cycle involves warm surface water reaching polar regions, cooling and sinking due to increased density from salt concentrations.

• Process is slow (about 1 cm/s) with a 1,000-year circulation cycle.

Page 12: Climate Change Impact - Arctic

• Predicted reduction in ice cover leading to increased marine traffic and resource exploration opportunities.

• Persistent organic pollutants may become more widespread as ice melts.

Page 13: Climate Change Impact - Atlantic

• Anticipated increase in storm intensity.

• Freshwater from melting ice affecting thermohaline circulation.

• Less sea ice associated with increased iceberg formation.

Page 14: Climate Change Impact - Pacific

• Coastal water temperatures rising by approximately 0.25°C per decade.

• Changes in weather patterns with more frequent and intense storms.

Page 15: Educational Resources

• Link to Ocean School for exploring ocean-based educational material.

Page 16: Fishery Closure Scenario

• Case study exploring the implications of a temporary snow crab fishery closure for protecting right whales.

Page 17: Stakeholder Perspectives Assignment

• Objective: Examine the impact of fishery closures from the viewpoints of different stakeholders with designated roles for debate.

Page 18: Commercial Fisher’s Perspective

• Impact of early fishery closure on families and communities due to loss of income.

Page 19: Mi’kmaw Fisher’s Perspective

• Concerns regarding disproportionate fishing quotas and livelihood under treaty rights.

Page 20: Marine Biologist’s Perspective

• Urgency for conservation citing chronic pain in whales due to entanglement, advocating for immediate action.

Page 21: Scenario Sources

• Scenarios based on relevant articles addressing whale protection versus fishing industry tension.

Page 22: Northwest Passage Discussion

• The Northwest Passage viewed as a potential lucrative shipping route influenced by climate change and reduced sea ice.

Page 23: Northern Shipping Routes

• Overview of global maritime routes including Russian territorial claims.

• Potential for commercial exploitation of Arctic shipping routes arising from climate change as ice diminishes.